Quick Visits with Family

We recently had a couple of quick visits with family. First, we spent several fun days with hubby's brother and our sis-in-law in Tennessee. 

One day we explored the very pretty Chickasaw Trace Park on the biologically diverse Duck River in Columbia, TN. We discovered a nice array of areas to please almost any outdoor enthusiast as we observed and enjoyed kayakers, swimmers, mountain bikers, RC areas, picnic tables, log cabins and more.

We hiked a trail until a nasty 

mud puddle refused to let us pass!

(l-r, Middy, Jack, me)

Geo was thrilled when we stumbled 

across an RC flying field in the park. 

(An RC car track was in the park as well.)

Geo has a plane in the RV, and if he would

have know this was here, you can bet 

he would have brought it with us!

Yes, he would!

He chatted it up with the RC fellas who 

offered him their cards so when we return, 

he can meet up with them.

We wandered through Derryberry Log cabin, 

one of the first homes in the area.

Another day, we checked out an 

RV park on the clear Piney River.

Notice the people up on the cliff.

I wonder if they dive from there. 

We didn't see it.

We saw kayakers making their way through

the lazy water though which looks like fun.

Don't look for them!

There's not any pics.

We also spent time visiting and hanging out.

Geo is relaxing on Jack & Middy's lovely deck...

... and so are Chewy & Elmer!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After we left Tennessee, we scooted a couple hours up the road to Kentucky where my sister and our bro-in-law recently purchased a lake house on Lake Barkley. They had a trip planned for later in the week so we were only able to spend 1-1/2 days with them.

The first afternoon, Randy & Sue drove us around the nicely wooded area. The next day, we headed out to find an A-frame that Geo's Dad and Uncle built when Geo was a kid.

Found it!

The owners were outside and the 

very kind lady invited us in for a minute.

Geo's Dad and Uncle also 

built this wagon wheel light fixture.

After the A-frame, we stopped at 

Hu-B's Harbor Marina

in 

Kuttawa, KY.

Sue & Randy

Geo & yours truly

We finished up the visit at the lake house where we 

savored the lovely view of the lake and their dock!

Sue & Randy will be putting their pontoon in the water after their trip and we look forward to returning for a boat ride!

Smiles,

D~~~~

Note: The above link to Chickasaw Trace Park is not the park's official website. It was down when I tried to link it.

Bye Wagon Master RV Park & Alpaca Farm

We moved to a new location about a week ago but I wanted to share some pics from the last RV Park:

Wagon Master RV Park & Alpaca Farm 

in 

Sanger, Texas.

It was a quaint and quiet 

little park with friendly folks.

The Old Wash House

The New Wash House & Mail facility

are housed in 

The Wander Inn

Let's wander in.

(I can follow directions.)

Spacious!

Lots of cool space to hang out.

Bath houses through those doors.

A clean and nice laundry facility.

And a rustic kitchen too!

A cute little mail center 

resides just across from the kitchen.

A lovely morning view from our bedroom window.

Without a doubt, for me, the sweet 

alpacas were the main attraction!

They're protected by three 

cute and fuzzy guard dogs.

Here's two.

Hi there adorable!

They're beautiful creatures!

We were there during the Covid-19 pandemic so we didn't get to feed them or spend time with them other than at the fence. We didn't ask but assumed that it was not being offered since the office was closed and all communication was done online or over the phone.

The alpaca page of the Wagon Master website even welcomes non-campers to come feed them ($5.00 per person) and/or you can spend an hour with them in the barn or field. That is something I greatly wish we could have done! Perhaps we will have that opportunity in the future.

Smiles,

D~~~~

Not Full-Timing Yet

It's official, we sold our house.
YAY!

That's a huge step toward full-time RVing!

We are now staying in a local RV park 

which is also an alpaca farm.

The alpacas are very cute so I'm am sure 

there will be more photos to come. 

We cannot start full-timing until hubby Geo retires later this year. Due to this Covid-19 virus, he is off work right now and scheduled to stay off until the end of June. Of course, depending on the virus, he could go back sooner or stay out longer.

One thing is for sure though,

I will be blogging on a more regular basis!

See ya soon!

Smiles,

D~~~~

September in Colorado

In September, we spent two perfect-weather weeks in Colorado. What a joy it was to escape the Texas heat, and get away from our home downsizing project too. 

Lovely Vallecito Lake 

In the distance, can you see the anchored boats?

It's the marina area.

Every time we drove by this 
zig-zag shoreline, it caught my eye.

Vallecito Dam

It's a gorgeous lake surrounded 

by the San Juan Mountains!

We met up with our friends Joe & Linda at 

Blue Spruce RV Park 

where they'd been camping since July. 

Those dang retired people think they 

can go anywhere, 

at any time, 
AND 

for as long as they want! 

Oh wait! 

They can. 

😂 

My sister Linda and her hubby David 

also joined us for the first week of the trip.

(l-r) Me (Donna), Linda & Joe, 

George and Linda & David

Nothing beats sitting outside 

in the slightly cool weather!

Linda and David enjoyed a ride on the Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad train one day as well as some golfing and fishing other days. It was their first time here whereas the rest of us have been several times now.

After they left, Joe, Linda, Geo & I started the second week with lunch at Tequila's in Pagosa Springs. We go every year and it's always good!

Some of the springs as seen from our 

seats on the balcony at Tequila's.

Lunch was followed by a 

short hike to Treasure Falls.

There she is--Treasure Falls.

About halfway through the second week, two more friends popped in--Clyde and Sandy. They don't have an RV but rented a cabin at the park. Joe & Linda knew they were coming but we didn't. It was a wonderful surprise!

Clyde & Sandy

Every day during the trip, we got out and about, 

and in the evenings, we all enjoyed 

gathering around a campfire.

Sandy even did some knitting!

One day, the six of us went into Durango to explore the main drag. The guys went their way and the gals went another way. When it was all said and done, we met up for some pics and a Cold Stone Creamery treat. Yum!

A lot of tomfoolery occurred 
while trying to take this photo, 
and it was all on the back row!
Can you tell? 

While at the park, we were happy  

to make some new friends.

This is Jason, Jack & Holly Miner

They're full-timers from Houston.

It's awesome to be young, 
in a position to work remotely 
(Jason reads cardiology reports), 
and be a full-time RVer!
Good for them!

Geo & Jason entertaining Jack... 

.. and Jack returns the entertainment!
He's not quite 2 yet and a cutie pie!

You can follow the Miners adventures on 

FB and Instagram by searching for 

themarvelousminers

The above photos were taken at 
Bottom Shelf Brewery 
in Bayfield where 
the Miners, Joe, Linda, Clyde, Sandy, Geo and I 
all went for dinner one night. 

It was super good food!

Another place we all went for dinner one evening was

Fur Trappers Steakhouse and Bar 

It's close to the RV park, 

on Vallecito lake,

 and the food is outstanding!

I'll close by saying that we all love Blue Spruce RV Park. This was our third year to camp there and it won't be our last! If you're interested in knowing more about Blue Spruce, below are links to posts from our two previous years.

2017 and 2018 

See ya soon.

Smiles,
D~~~~

Cha-Cha-Cha Changes

The beginning of the year, George and I made an exciting decision! 

We plan to:

• Downsize ALL of our belongings; 
• Do some upgrades around the house; 
• Sell our home; 
• Move into the RV; and 
• Begin full-time RVing once Geo retires sometime next year!

AND RIGHT NOW,

this downsizing plan is in full swing!

We have lived in this house for 17 years, and accumulated an overwhelming amount of STUFF. We plan to keep a storage space (10x15 or smaller) for boxes of necessary and desirable stuff, as well as shelves, sewing tables & cabinets, shop tables, tools and toolboxes. Many things are being given to family members and friends too.

All of the furniture will be gone 

(some already is) 

and many other belongings too.

Bah-bye!

So, far this process has involved:

Lots and lots of contemplation
and 
lots and lots of sorting...

Tedious sorting in the shop was done... 

and oodles of sorting occurred 

in the sewing/art studio as well...

Of course, other rooms were tackled too 

but, thankfully, there wasn't much to sort there...

By far, the most time consuming sorting 

has been going through five decades of pics 

and even older pics that were 

my Mom's and grandmothers'

(and still sorting)...

An innumerable amount of pics were trashed... 

Photos were and are still being taken of 

the overwhelming number of keeper pics.

Once a pic is taken, they are loaded onto

the bigger computer for storage 

on a backup and the cloud...

Next, the hard copy pics are placed in 

labeled plastic bags or containers to be given 

to family members and friends...

All hard copy pics will be gone! 

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

A garage sale was held during this process too.

We were pleased with the outcome but 

it's likely that another small garage sale 
will be held at the end of the process.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Boxes were and are still being packed for storage...

A 10x15 mock storage was measured off 

in the shop for boxes and other items 

that will be going to storage ...

Some of the storage items in mock storage...

(although some of this might be gone too)

* * * * * * * * * * * * 

In addition, we have happily seen an 
abundance of trashed STUFF go out the door...

Several trips have been made to 
donation centers with more to come...

Doors have been fixed...
Carpet has been torn out...

Appointments are set for carpet in the bedrooms...
granite countertop in the kitchen...
 and glass replacement in five windows...

THE BEST PART...

We just spent two lovely weeks in the cool temps 
of Bayfield, Colorado near Vallecito Lake!

It was a welcome and rejuvenating break but we're ready to continue our downsizing adventure and get this house on the market ASAP!

For now, back to sorting photos
(insert heavy sigh here.)

Stay tuned for more soon.

Smiles,

D~~~~